Navigating Dutch Corporate Culture

Are you an international PhD student or Postdoc? Are you sometimes confused while working with Dutch colleagues? Do you plan on working in the Netherlands in the future? If you answered yes to these questions, this workshop will provide you with insights, practical skills and the confidence you need to make the most of your career in the Dutch business landscape.

As an international, you may sometimes be baffled by how your Dutch colleagues behave and what is expected from you. For example, they quickly address others by their first names, even if it's their boss. They always share their opinions on everything, but do they expect you to do the same? What does the feedback from your boss mean and how can you best handle that? And what about those endless meetings- how can you ever get things done? How can you move decisions in the right direction, when it's unclear who is in charge of making them? How can you best handle the freedom as well as the responsibility that comes with your job from day 1?

Format

In this highly interactive 3-hour workshop, we will explore Dutch corporate culture, by focusing on the values, communication styles, and business etiquette that define the Dutch work environment. We will take a hands-on approach, with engaging discussions, interactive activities and real-life examples and discuss strategies on how to thrive in Dutch professional settings.

Learning goals

• Learn about the basics of Dutch business culture
• Learn about the major do's and dont's and other sensitive issues- what you definately shouldn't do
• Practice some concrete skills to help you thrive in a Dutch workplace (e.g. how to speak up and maximize your influence, how to respond to feedback professionally etc.)
• Define the next steps for more confidently dealing with the Dutch working culture

Practical information

• Wednesday 30 September 2026 from 14:00-17:00h
• The workshop takes place onsite in Groningen
• Details on the location will be shared by email one week in advance
• A minimum of 8 participants is required